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Step onto New Zealand’s largest glacier with INFLITE - Mt. Cook’s Tasman Glacier Heli Hike. Combining helicopter flight and guided glacier trekking, this trip reveals raw alpine ice landscapes overlooked by Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
Step onto New Zealand’s largest glacier with INFLITE - Mt. Cook’s Tasman Glacier Heli Hike. Combining helicopter flight and guided glacier trekking, this trip reveals raw alpine ice landscapes overlooked by Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
Book with INFLITE - Mt. Cook
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Operated by INFLITE - Mt. Cook · Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury, New Zealand, is home to some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most dramatic landscapes, and the Tasman Glacier Heli Hike from INFLITE - Mt. Cook offers a rare vantage point on this dynamic environment. The Tasman Glacier, the longest in New Zealand, snakes through the Southern Alps, carving deep valleys and exposing rugged ice formations shaped by millennia of glacial movement.
INFLITE’s heli hike experience lifts adventurers high above the valley floor aboard a helicopter, delivering them onto a remote section of the Tasman Glacier itself. The combination of aerial and on-foot perspectives reveals a shifting ice world defined by deep crevasses, seracs, and sapphire-blue ice caves that only a few get to witness up close. From here, guests can absorb sweeping views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, the country’s tallest peak, standing sentinel above the glacier’s white expanse.
This trip stands out in the local outdoor scene because of its blend of thrilling flight and guided glacier trekking. Participants are outfitted with crampons for secure footing on the hard ice, and in winter, snowshoes help navigate fresh snow layers. Experienced guides impart glacier travel skills rooted in New Zealand’s mountaineering heritage, adding depth and safety to the adventure.
Beyond the climb and glide, INFLITE plays a vital role in connecting visitors with this fragile alpine ecosystem, offering responsible access that highlights both the awe-inspiring power and the ongoing environmental changes here. The heli hike’s variable routes and features mean each journey offers unique ice formations, making repeat visits rewarding.
For those seeking to push beyond standard hikes or bus tours, the Tasman Glacier Heli Hike is a practical yet exhilarating immersion into New Zealand’s high-country wilderness, set against the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt. Cook’s raw grandeur.
moderate.
3 hours.
Suitable for those with moderate fitness and able to walk on uneven icy terrain for up to 2 hours.
Participants should be in moderate physical shape to handle walking on uneven ice for up to two hours.
No experience is required; guides provide all instruction and equipment including crampons.
Trips may be cancelled or rescheduled for safety if weather conditions prevent safe flying or trekking.
Yes, the activity is suitable for ages 9 and up, with parental supervision.
Wear warm layered clothing, sturdy boots, sunglasses, and bring snacks, water, and a camera.
The scenic return flight and transfer to the glacier drop-off totals approximately 60 minutes.
Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park was established in 1953 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique alpine landscapes.
Guided tours like INFLITE’s promote minimal-impact glacier access and emphasize respect for ongoing glacial retreat due to climate change.
INFLITE - Mt. Cook operates from Aoraki / Mount Cook in Canterbury, New Zealand. The company specialises in aerial and alpine experiences using helicopters and ski planes, offering scenic flights, glacier landings, ski transfers, skydives and bespoke charters. Core experiences include the Glacier Private Flight that lands on the lower Tasman Glacier for a 40-minute exploration, ski-the-Tasman adventures, Tasman Taster 25-minute flights with pilot commentary, the 2 Run Ski the Tasman ski plane program with included flight transfers and expert guidance, and multiple scenic Grand Circle and Glacier Highlights flights by both ski plane and helicopter. INFLITE - Mt. Cook also lists high-adrenaline options such as 10,000ft, 13,000ft and 16,500ft skydive departures over Aoraki / Mt Cook, and combined packages like the Glacier Freefall Trifecta that pairs ski plane and helicopter transfers with a 15,000-foot freefall. Picnic and wedding charter options are available by ski plane or helicopter, and alpine transfers such as Alps to Ocean helicopter transfers are offered. Safety and local knowledge are emphasised through experienced pilots, informative onboard commentary on selected flights, and guided glacier activities where specified. The business presents a range of tour durations, aircraft types and landing options across Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park. Prospective guests should consult INFLITE - Mt. Cook directly for current availability, pricing and operational details. Flight transfers are included for some ski experiences, and private and charter options are available for weddings and special events. The experiences provide photography and filming opportunities during glacier landings and scenic overflights.
Book with INFLITE - Mt. Cook